Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, December 15, 2012. The FIVB Executive Committee applauded the initiative of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Council with its new found approach in 2013 as its end of year meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil came to a close on Saturday. Following a very successful year in 2012, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Council, led by Council president and FIVB Board of Administration member Vicente Araujo, sought a new vision for 2013 and beyond in order to capitalize on the tremendous momentum of the past 12 to 24 months and create new opportunities for players. A reduction in the level of approval criteria for FIVB Open events has created that breakthrough with a potential record-breaking FIVB Beach Volleyball calendar in 2013.

Countries of the likes of Peru, Qatar and Uganda are expected to host FIVB Open events for the first time in 2013 while USA could potentially be welcomed back for the first time since 2004 as part of a calendar which is likely to cover nine months of the year (March to December) and all five confederations. The confirmation of the 2013 calendar is expected in January.

The new FIVB Beach Volleyball strategy consists of goals such as:

- To create a sustainable Beach Volleyball event’s structure;
- To provide more opportunities for the athletes worldwide;
- To create an integration between different level events;
- To create a better property;
- To create a competition format that can help promote the property.

The success of the Continental Cup, which saw 149 countries involved in the two year program, has encouraged many countries to participate in other FIVB events. The Continental Cup cycle is due to be completed with the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Final to be held in January early next year.

The 2013 calendar will also feature Under 23 World Championships for the first time ever in addition to the customary Under 19 and Under 21 World Championships.